U.S. patent application number 14/556223 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-26 for holder and optical biometric apparatus including the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shimadzu Corporation. Invention is credited to Takashi Amita, Yoshihiro Inoue, Akihiro Ishikawa, Yoshinori Masuda, Haruhide Udagawa.
Application Number | 20150087996 14/556223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49672660 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150087996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Udagawa; Haruhide ; et
al. |
March 26, 2015 |
HOLDER AND OPTICAL BIOMETRIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
A holder configured to allow light transmission probes for
emitting light and light reception probes for receiving light to be
arranged alternately and be spaced apart from each other by a
second set distance r.sub.2. The holder has a plurality of first
through holes each provided at a position spaced apart by a first
set distance r.sub.1 shorter than the second set distance r.sub.2
from a position of the retained light transmission probe or a
position of the retained light reception probe. Each of the through
holes of the plurality of first through holes allow reference
probes for emitting or receiving light to be inserted thereto. One
of the first through holes provided therein with none of the
reference probes has a non-light transmissive attachment member in
a detachable manner.
Inventors: |
Udagawa; Haruhide;
(Kyoto-shi, JP) ; Inoue; Yoshihiro; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) ; Amita; Takashi; (Kyoto-shi, JP) ;
Masuda; Yoshinori; (Kyoto-shi, JP) ; Ishikawa;
Akihiro; (Kyoto-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shimadzu Corporation |
Kyoto-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
49672660 |
Appl. No.: |
14/556223 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2012/063869 |
May 30, 2012 |
|
|
|
14556223 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/473 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0059 20130101;
A61B 5/0042 20130101; A61B 5/0082 20130101; A61B 5/4064 20130101;
A61B 5/0075 20130101; A61B 5/6814 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/473 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 2012 |
JP |
PCT/JP2012/063869 |
Claims
1. A holder configured to allow light transmission probes for
emitting light and light reception probes for receiving light to be
arranged alternately and be spaced apart from each other by a
second set distance r.sub.2, wherein the holder has a plurality of
first through holes each provided at a position spaced apart by a
first set distance r.sub.1 shorter than the second set distance
r.sub.2 from a position of a retained light transmission probe or a
position of a retained light reception probe, each of the through
holes of the plurality of first through holes allow reference
probes for emitting or receiving light to be inserted thereto, one
of the first through holes provided with none of the reference
probes allows a non-light transmissive attachment member to be
detachable therefrom, and the holder includes the attachment
member.
2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first through holes
are each formed at a median of a line connecting a position of the
retained light transmission probe and a position of the retained
light reception probe.
3. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the second set distance
r.sub.2 is 30 mm.
4. An optical biometric apparatus comprising: the holder according
to claim 1; a light transmission probe for emitting light; a light
reception probe for receiving light; a reference probe for emitting
or receiving light; and a controller for controlling light
transmission or light reception of the light transmission probe,
the light reception probe, or the reference probe.
5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a
plurality of second through holes allowing the light transmission
probes or the light reception probes to be inserted thereto, and
one of the second through holes provided with neither the light
transmission probe nor the light reception probe allows the
attachment member to be detachable therefrom.
6. The holder according to claim 5, wherein the first through holes
are each formed at a median of a line connecting a position of the
retained light transmission probe and a position of the retained
light reception probe.
7. The holder according claim 5, wherein the second set distance
r.sub.2 is 30 mm.
8. An optical biometric apparatus comprising: the holder according
to claim 5; a light transmission probe for emitting light; a light
reception probe for receiving light; a reference probe for emitting
or receiving light; and a controller for controlling light
transmission or light reception of the light transmission probe,
the light reception probe, or the reference probe.
9. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the first through holes
are each formed at a median of a line connecting a position of the
retained light transmission probe and a position of the retained
light reception probe, wherein the second set distance r.sub.2 is
30 mm.
11. An optical biometric apparatus comprising: the holder according
to claim 1, wherein the first through holes are each formed at a
median of a line connecting a position of the retained light
transmission probe and a position of the retained light reception
probe; a light transmission probe for emitting light; a light
reception probe for receiving light; a reference probe for emitting
or receiving light; and a controller for controlling light
transmission or light reception of the light transmission probe,
the light reception probe, or the reference probe.
12. An optical biometric apparatus comprising: the holder according
to claim 1, wherein the second set distance r.sub.2 is 30 mm; a
light transmission probe for emitting light; a light reception
probe for receiving light; a reference probe for emitting or
receiving light; and a controller for controlling light
transmission or light reception of the light transmission probe,
the light reception probe, or the reference probe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation of
PCT Application No. PCT/JP2012/063869, filed May 30, 2012, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a holder and an optical
biometric apparatus including the same.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Recently, an optical brain function imaging apparatus
(optical biometric apparatus) has been developed that easily
measures using light in a non-invasive manner for observation of
brain activity conditions. Such an optical brain function imaging
apparatus includes a light transmission probe, which is disposed on
a scalp surface of an examinee and irradiates a brain with near
infrared light rays having three different wavelengths
.lamda..sub.1, .lamda..sub.2, and .lamda..sub.3 (e.g. 780 nm, 805
nm, and 830 nm), and a light reception probe, which is disposed on
the scalp surface and detects intensity changes (received light
amount information pieces) .DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.1),
.DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.2), and .DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.3) of the near
infrared light rays having the wavelengths .lamda..sub.1,
.lamda..sub.2, and .lamda..sub.3 radiated from the brain.
[0004] In order to find a product of a concentration change and an
optical path length of oxyhemoglobin [oxyHb] and a product of a
concentration change and an optical path length of deoxyhemoglobin
[deoxyHb] in a cerebral blood flow from the received light amount
information pieces .DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.1),
.DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.2), and .DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.3) thus obtained,
the apparatus creates simultaneous equations including relational
equations (1), (2), and (3) according to the Modified Beer Lambert
law or the like, and solves these simultaneous equations. The
apparatus further calculates a product of a concentration change
and an optical path length of total hemoglobin ([oxyHb]+[deoxyHb])
from the product of the concentration change and the optical path
length of oxyhemoglobin [oxyHb] and the product of the
concentration change and the optical path length of deoxyhemoglobin
[deoxyHb].
.DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.1)=E.sub.0(.lamda..sub.1).times.[oxyHb]+E.sub.d(.la-
mda..sub.1).times.[deoxyHb] (1)
.DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.2)=E.sub.0(.lamda..sub.2).times.[oxyHb]+E.sub.d(.la-
mda..sub.2).times.[deoxyHb] (2)
.DELTA.A(.lamda..sub.3)=E.sub.0(.lamda..sub.3).times.[oxyHb]+E.sub.d(.la-
mda..sub.3).times.[deoxyHb] (3)
[0005] In these relational equations, E.sub.0(.lamda. m) denotes an
absorbance coefficient of oxyhemoglobin for light of a wavelength
.lamda. m and E.sub.d(.lamda. m) denotes an absorbance coefficient
of deoxyhemoglobin for the light of the wavelength .lamda. m.
[0006] Described below is the relation of a distance (channel)
between a light transmission probe and a light reception probe, to
a measured site. FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are views showing the relation
of a light transmission probe and a light reception probe in a
pair, to a measured site. A light transmission probe 12 is pressed
to a light transmission point T on a scalp surface of an examinee
whereas a light reception probe 13 is pressed to a light reception
point R on the scalp surface of the examinee. Light is emitted from
the light transmission probe 12 whereas light radiated from the
scalp surface is made incident on the light reception probe 13. At
this time, light passed through a banana shape (measured region)
out of the light emitted from the light transmission point T on the
scalp surface reaches the light reception point R on the scalp
surface. For example, the light will pass through a blood vessel in
a skin around the light transmission point T, a blood vessel in the
brain, and a blood vessel in a skin around the light reception
point R.
[0007] For obtaining received light amount information .DELTA.A
only on the blood vessel in the brain, an apparatus that includes a
light transmission probe 12 and a light reception probe 13 having a
short distance r.sub.1 as the distance (channel) therebetween as
well as a light transmission probe 12 and a light reception probe
13 having a long distance r.sub.2 as the distance (channel)
therebetween may be used (see Patent Document 1, Non-Patent
Document 1, and the like). FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the
relation of a reference probe 14 spaced apart by the short distance
r.sub.1 from the light transmission probe 12 and the light
reception probe 13 spaced apart by the long distance r.sub.2 from
the light transmission probe 12, to measured sites. Second received
light amount information .DELTA.A2 on the blood vessel in the skin
around the light transmission point T, the blood vessel in the
brain, and a blood vessel in a skin around a light reception point
R2 is obtained in the channel of the long distance r.sub.2 whereas
first received light amount information .DELTA.A1 only on the blood
vessel in the skin around the light transmission point T (the blood
vessel in the skin around a light reception point R1) is obtained
in the channel of the short distance r.sub.1.
[0008] The received light amount information .DELTA.A only on the
blood vessel in the brain is found from the received light amount
information pieces .DELTA.A1 and .DELTA.A2 thus obtained in
accordance with an equation (4).
.DELTA.A=.DELTA.A2-K.DELTA.A1 (4)
[0009] In these systems, it is generally necessary to determine a
coefficient K for finding the received light amount information
.DELTA.A in accordance with the equation (4). A method of
calculating this coefficient K is disclosed (see Non-Patent
Document 2, for example). The coefficient K is calculated with
reference to a minimum square error in this calculation method.
[0010] The optical brain function imaging apparatus further
includes a near-infrared spectral analyzer or the like for
measuring a product of a concentration change and an optical path
length of oxyhemoglobin [oxyHb], a product of a concentration
change and an optical path length of deoxyhemoglobin [deoxyHb], and
a product of a concentration change and an optical path length of
total hemoglobin ([oxyHb]+[deoxyHb]) at each of a plurality of
measured sites in a brain (see Patent Document 2, for example).
[0011] Such a near-infrared spectral analyzer includes a holder 130
for causing the light transmission probes 12, the light reception
probes 13, and the reference probes 14 to be in contact with a
scalp surface of an examinee in a predetermined arrangement. FIG. 8
is a plan view exemplifying the holder 130 that allows eight light
transmission probes 12, eight light reception probes 13, and twelve
reference probes 14 to be inserted thereto.
[0012] The holder 130 has second through holes T1 to T8 and R1 to
R8 that allow eight light transmission probes 12.sub.T1 to
12.sub.T8 and eight light reception probes 13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8
to be inserted thereto, and first through holes B1 to B12 that
allow twelve reference probes 14.sub.B1 to 14.sub.B12 to be
inserted thereto.
[0013] The second through holes T1 to T8 allowing the light
transmission probes 12.sub.T1 to 12.sub.T8 to be inserted thereto
and the second through holes R1 to R8 allowing the light reception
probes 13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8 to be inserted thereto are formed to
be arranged alternately in a square lattice shape of four probes in
the longitudinal direction and four probes in the transverse
direction. In this case, each of the second through holes T1 to T8
allowing the light transmission probes 12.sub.T1 to 12.sub.T8 to be
inserted thereto and an adjacent one of the second through holes R1
to R8 allowing the light reception probes 13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8 to
be inserted thereto have a second set distance r.sub.2, as a gap
(channel) therebetween, of 30 mm. The apparatus can thus collect
second received light amount information pieces
.DELTA.A2.sub.n(.lamda..sub.1), .DELTA.A2.sub.n(2.sub.2), and
.DELTA.A2.sub.n(.lamda..sub.3) (n=1, 2, . . . , 24) on 24 measured
positions.
[0014] The first through hole B1 allowing the reference probe
14.sub.B1 to be inserted thereto is formed between the second
through hole T1 allowing the light transmission probe 12.sub.T1 to
be inserted thereto and the second through hole R3 allowing the
light reception probe 13.sub.R3 to be inserted thereto, at a
position distant by a first set distance r.sub.1 from the second
through hole T1 allowing the light transmission probe 12.sub.T1 to
be inserted thereto. The first set distance r.sub.1, as a gap
between the second through hole T1 allowing the light transmission
probe 12.sub.T1 to be inserted thereto and the first through hole
B1 allowing the reference probe 14.sub.B1 to be inserted thereto,
is 15 mm. The first through hole B2 allowing the reference probe
14.sub.B2 to be inserted thereto is formed at a position distant by
the first set distance r.sub.1 from the first through hole T3
allowing the light transmission probe 12.sub.T3 to be inserted
thereto, and the first through hole B3 allowing the reference probe
14.sub.B3 to be inserted thereto is formed at a position distant by
the first set distance r.sub.1 from the second through hole T2
allowing the light transmission probe 12.sub.T2 to be inserted
thereto. In these manners, the first through holes allowing the
reference probes 14 to be inserted thereto are each formed at a
position distant by the first set distance r.sub.1 from the
corresponding one of the second through holes allowing the light
transmission probes 12 to be inserted thereto. The apparatus can
thus collect first received light amount information pieces
.DELTA.A1.sub.m(.lamda..sub.1), .DELTA.A1.sub.m(.lamda..sub.2), and
.DELTA.A1.sub.m(.lamda..sub.3) (m=1, 2, . . . , 12) on twelve
measured positions.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
[0015] The following documents are provided for reference, and are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Patent Documents
[0016] Patent Document 1: JP 2009-136434 A
[0017] Patent Document 2: JP 2001-337033 A
Non-Patent Documents
[0018] Non-Patent Document 1: Rolf B. Saager, and Andrew J. Berger
"Direct characterization and removal of interfering absorption
trends in two-layer turbid media" J. Opt. Soc. Am. A/Vol. 22, No.
9/September 2005.
[0019] Non-Patent Document 2: Francesco Fabbri, Angelo Sassaroli,
Michael e Henry, and Sergio Fantini "Optical measurements of
absorption changes in two-layered diffusive media" Phys. Med. Biol.
49(2004) 1183-1201.
SUMMARY
[0020] According to certain embodiments, a holder is configured to
allow light transmission probes for emitting light and light
reception probes for receiving light to be arranged alternately and
be spaced apart from each other by a second set distance r.sub.2.
The holder has a plurality of first through holes each provided at
a position spaced apart by a first set distance r.sub.1 shorter
than the second set distance r.sub.2 from a position of the
retained light transmission probe or a position of the retained
light reception probe. Each of the through holes of the plurality
of first through holes allow reference probes for emitting or
receiving light to be inserted thereto. One of the first through
holes provided therein with none of the reference probes has a
non-light transmissive attachment member in a detachable
manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic
configuration of an optical biometric apparatus according an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a plan view exemplifying a holder, which allows
eight light transmission probes, eight light reception probes, and
twelve reference probes to be inserted thereto, having twelve
attachment members being inserted thereto, according to one
exemplary embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views each exemplifying
the attachment member, according to example embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view exemplifying the holder that has eight
light transmission probes, eight light reception probes, and four
attachment members 40 being inserted thereto, according to one
exemplary embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
using the holder.
[0026] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are views showing the relation of a
light transmission probe and a light reception probe in a pair, to
a measured site.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the relation of a
reference probe distant by a short distance r.sub.1 from the light
transmission probe and the light reception probe distant by a long
distance r.sub.2 from the light transmission probe, to measured
sites.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a plan view exemplifying the holder that allows
eight light transmission probes, eight light reception probes, and
twelve reference probes to be inserted thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present disclosure now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
various embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be
embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. It should also
be emphasized that the disclosure provides details of alternative
examples, but such listing of alternatives is not exhaustive.
Furthermore, any consistency of detail between various examples
should not be interpreted as requiring such detail--it is
impracticable to list every possible variation for every feature
described herein. The language of the claims should be referenced
in determining the requirements of the invention.
[0030] In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of components
and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to
like elements throughout.
[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items and may be abbreviated as "/".
[0032] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless indicated
otherwise, these terms are only used to distinguish one element
from another, for example as a naming convention. For example, a
first device could be termed a second device, and, similarly, a
second device could be termed a device without departing from the
teachings of the disclosure.
[0033] It will be further understood that the terms "comprises"
and/or "comprising," or "includes" and/or "including" when used in
this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0034] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "connected" or "coupled" to or "on" another element, it can
be directly connected or coupled to or on the other element or
intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element
is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled"
to another element, or as "contacting" another element, there are
no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the
relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like
fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent"
versus "directly adjacent," etc.).
[0035] Embodiments described herein will be described referring to
plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic
views. Accordingly, the exemplary views may be modified depending
on manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, the
disclosed embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views,
but include modifications in configuration formed on the basis of
manufacturing processes. Therefore, regions exemplified in figures
may have schematic properties, and shapes of regions shown in
figures may exemplify specific shapes of regions of elements to
which aspects of the invention are not limited.
[0036] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below,"
"lower," "above," "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease
of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship
to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.
It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are
intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use
or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation
of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated
90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative
descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0037] Terms such as "same," "planar," or "coplanar," as used
herein when referring to orientation, layout, location, shapes,
sizes, amounts, or other measures do not necessarily mean an
exactly identical orientation, layout, location, shape, size,
amount, or other measure, but are intended to encompass nearly
identical orientation, layout, location, shapes, sizes, amounts, or
other measures within acceptable variations that may occur, for
example, due to manufacturing processes. The term "substantially"
may be used herein to reflect this meaning.
[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present
application, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0039] The above holder 130 having the twelve first through holes
B1 to B12 is used with the reference probes 14.sub.B1 to 14.sub.B12
being inserted to all of the twelve first through holes B1 to B12,
or is used with the reference probes 14 being inserted to only four
of the first through holes B, for example. In the latter case,
ambient light is incident through any one of the first through
holes B with no reference probe 14 being inserted thereto, and the
light reception probes 13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8 may thus
problematically detect the ambient light.
[0040] The above holder 130 is to be used with the eight light
transmission probes 12, the eight light reception probes 13, and
the four reference probes 14 being inserted thereto, while the
holder 130 has these many through holes T1 to T8, R1 to R8, and B1
to B12. It is accordingly difficult to find which probe is to be
inserted to which through hole, and insertion may take time or may
not be performed correctly.
[0041] In view of the above, an object of the present embodiments
is to prevent incidence of ambient light through any one of the
first through holes as well as provide a holder that allows a probe
to be inserted easily and accurately to a through hole and an
optical biometric apparatus including the holder.
[0042] According to certain embodiments, a holder is configured to
allow light transmission probes for emitting light and light
reception probes for receiving light to be arranged alternately and
be distant from each other by a second set distance r.sub.2,
wherein the holder has a plurality of first through holes each
provided at a position distant by a first set distance r.sub.1
shorter than the second set distance r.sub.2 from a position of the
retained light transmission probe or a position of the retained
light reception probe, the first through holes allow reference
probes for emitting or receiving light to be inserted thereto, the
first through hole provided therein with none of the reference
probes allows a non-light transmissive attachment member to be
detachable therefrom, and the holder includes the attachment
member.
[0043] The "second set distance r.sub.2" is provided for obtaining
second received light amount information on a blood vessel in a
skin around a light transmission point T, a blood vessel in a
brain, and a blood vessel in a skin around a light reception point
R. The "first set distance r.sub.1" is provided for obtaining first
received light amount information on a blood vessel in the skin
around the light transmission point T or the light reception point
R.
[0044] As described above, in the holder according to the present
embodiments, the first through hole with no reference probe being
inserted thereto has the non-light transmissive attachment member
attached thereto. The holder can thus prevent incidence of ambient
light through the first through hole.
[0045] Further, when the light transmission probes and the light
reception probes are attached to the holder, none of the light
transmission probes and the light reception probes are erroneously
inserted to the first through hole with the attachment member being
attached thereto. In certain embodiments, the light transmission
probes and the light reception probes have only to be inserted
alternately to the through holes having no attachment members. The
light transmission probes and the light reception probes can be
thus inserted easily and accurately. When the reference probe is
attached to the holder, the reference probe can be also inserted
easily and accurately by detaching the attachment member from a
desired first through hole.
[0046] In the holder according to certain embodiments, the holder
has a plurality of second through holes allowing the light
transmission probes or the light reception probes to be inserted
thereto, and the second through hole provided therein with neither
the light transmission probe nor the light reception probe allows
the attachment member to be detachable therefrom.
[0047] In the holder according to certain embodiments, the first
through holes can be each formed at a median of a line connecting a
position of the retained light transmission probe and a position of
the retained light reception probe.
[0048] The holder according to certain embodiments would allow
incidence of ambient light on a measured position of a brain
without any attachment member, but can prevent incidence of ambient
light because the attachment member is provided.
[0049] In the holder according to certain embodiments, the second
set distance r.sub.2 can be 30 mm. However, other distances may be
used.
[0050] An optical biometric apparatus according to the certain
embodiments can include the holder as described above, a light
transmission probe for emitting light, a light reception probe for
receiving light, a reference probe for emitting or receiving light,
and a controller for controlling light transmission or light
reception of the light transmission probe, the light reception
probe, or the reference probe.
[0051] An exemplary embodiment will now be described below with
reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to
the following embodiment, but includes various aspects within the
range consistent with the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic
configuration of an optical biometric apparatus according an
embodiment of the present invention. An optical biometric apparatus
1 includes a light source 2 for emitting light, a light source
drive mechanism 4 for driving the light source 2, a light detector
3 for detecting light, an A/D converter (A/D) 5, a controller 21,
as well as eight light transmission probes 12, eight light
reception probes 13, four reference probes 14, and a holder 30.
[0053] The light source drive mechanism 4 transmits light to one of
the light transmission probes 12 selected from the eight light
transmission probes 12.sub.T1 to 12.sub.T8 in accordance with a
drive signal received from the controller 21. The light is
exemplified by near infrared light (e.g. light rays having three
wavelengths of 780 nm, 805 nm, and 830 nm).
[0054] The light detector 3 individually detects near infrared
light rays (e.g. light rays having three wavelengths of 780 nm, 805
nm, and 830 nm) received by the eight light reception probes
13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8 to transmit eight pieces of second received
light amount information .DELTA.A2(.lamda..sub.1),
.DELTA.A2(.lamda..sub.2), and .DELTA.A2(.lamda..sub.3) to the
controller 21. The light detector 3 also individually detects near
infrared light rays (e.g. light rays having three wavelengths of
780 nm, 805 nm, and 830 nm) received by the four reference probes
14 to transmit four pieces of first received light amount
information .DELTA.A1(.lamda..sub.1), .DELTA.A1(.lamda..sub.2), and
.DELTA.A1(.lamda..sub.3) to the controller 21.
[0055] The light transmission probes 12 each have a columnar shape
so as to be inserted to a second through hole T. The light
transmission probes 12 each have an upper end connected to the
light source 2 by way of a light guiding path such as an optical
fiber, as well as a lower end for emitting light.
[0056] The light reception probes 13 each have a columnar shape
similar to that of the light transmission probe 12. The light
reception probes 13 each have an upper end connected to the light
detector 3 by way of a light guiding path such as an optical fiber,
and a lower end for receiving light.
[0057] The reference probes 14 each have a columnar shape similar
to that of the light transmission probe 12. The light reception
probes 13 each have an upper end connected to the light detector 3
by way of a light guiding path such as an optical fiber, and a
lower end for receiving light.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a plan view exemplifying the holder 30, which
allows the eight light transmission probes 12, the eight light
reception probes 13, and the twelve reference probes 14 to be
inserted thereto, having twelve attachment members 40 being
inserted thereto. The components configured similarly to those of
the holder 130 are denoted by the same reference signs.
[0059] The holder 30 has second through holes T1 to T8 and R1 to R8
that allow eight light transmission probes 12.sub.T1 to 12.sub.T8
and eight light reception probes 13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8 to be
inserted thereto, and first through holes B1 to B12 that allow
twelve reference probes 14.sub.B1 to 14.sub.B12 to be inserted
thereto.
[0060] The holder 30 according to certain embodiments includes the
twelve attachment members 40. However, other numbers of attachment
members may be used. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view exemplifying
one of the attachment members 40. The attachment member 40 has a
columnar main body 41, a grip portion 42 formed at the upper
surface of the main body 41, and a columnar insert portion 43
formed at the lower surface of the main body 41.
[0061] The insert portion 43 can be inserted to the first through
hole B and be extracted from the first through hole B having the
insert portion 43 therein, in other words, is detachable (see FIG.
3(b)). Specifically, the insert portion 43 may have the shape same
as those of the first through holes B1 to B12 or slightly larger.
In a case where the first through holes B1 to B12 each have a
columnar shape of 5 mm in diameter and 1 cm in depth, the insert
portion 43 has a columnar shape of 5 mm in diameter and 1 cm in
depth, for example. The depths may not be equal to each other.
[0062] The main body 41 preferably has the columnar shape with a
diameter equal to that of a ring portion at the peripheral edge of
each of the first through holes B1 to B12.
[0063] The grip portion 42 is gripped by a physician, a laboratory
technician, or the like, and is used for binding the light guiding
paths such as optical fibers connected to the light transmission
probes 12 and the like.
[0064] The main body and the grip portion are not particularly
limited in terms of their materials, and can be made of, for
example, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetal, or the
like. The insert portion is not particularly limited in terms of
its material, and can be made of, for example, rubber or the
like.
[0065] In one embodiment, at least one of the main body and the
insert portion is be made of a non-light transmissive material. In
one embodiment, both the main body and the insert portion are made
of a non-light transmissive material.
[0066] The attachment member 40 thus configured can be pressed into
the first through hole B from above so as to be attached to the
first through hole B, and can be extracted upward from the first
through hole B so as to be detached from the first through hole
B.
[0067] An exemplary method of using the holder 30 according to the
disclosed embodiments is described next. FIG. 5 is a flowchart
illustrating an exemplary method of using the holder 30.
[0068] Initially in the process in step S101, a physician, a
laboratory technician, or the like, prepares the holder 30 shown in
FIG. 2. At this stage, the attachment members are attached to the
twelve first through holes B1 to B12, respectively.
[0069] Subsequently in the process in step S102, the physician, the
laboratory technician, or the like inserts the eight light
transmission probes 12.sub.T1 to 12.sub.T8 to the second through
holes T1 to T8 and inserts the eight light reception probes
13.sub.R1 to 13.sub.R8 to the second through holes R1 to R8. In
this state, the twelve first through holes B1 to B12 are provided
with the attachment members 40, respectively. Neither the light
transmission probes 12 nor the light reception probes 13 are thus
erroneously inserted to the first through holes B1 to B12. Further,
the light transmission probes 12 and the light reception probes 13
have only to be inserted alternately. The light transmission probes
12 and the light reception probes 13 can be thus inserted easily
and accurately.
[0070] Subsequently in the process in step S103, the physician, the
laboratory technician, or the like detaches the attachment members
40 from the desired four first through holes B3, B4, B7, and B8,
and inserts the four reference probes 14 to the desired four first
through holes B3, B4, B7, and B8. FIG. 4 is a plan view
exemplifying the holder 30 that has the eight light transmission
probes 12, the eight light reception probes 13, and the four
attachment members 40 being inserted thereto. Note that the light
guiding paths such as optical fibers connected to the light
transmission probes 12 and the like are not illustrated in the
figure.
[0071] Subsequently in the process in step S104, the physician, the
laboratory technician, or the like, starts measurement. The
apparatus thus collects second received light amount information
pieces .DELTA.A2.sub.n(.lamda..sub.1),
.DELTA.A2.sub.n(.lamda..sub.2), and .DELTA.A2.sub.n(.lamda..sub.3)
(n=1, 2, . . . , 24) on 24 measured positions, as well as collects
first received light amount information pieces
.DELTA.A1.sub.m(.lamda..sub.1), .DELTA.A1.sub.m(.lamda..sub.2), and
.DELTA.A1.sub.m(.lamda..sub.3) (m=1, 2, . . . , 4) on four measured
positions.
[0072] At this stage, the first through holes B1, B2, B5, B6, and
B9 to B12, to which no reference probe 14 is inserted, are provided
with the attachment members 40, respectively. Ambient light can be
thus prevented from being incident through the first through holes
B1, B2, B5, B6, and B9 to B12.
[0073] Then, the flow in this chart is ended upon completion of the
process in step S104.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0074] Although various amounts of components and elements are
described above, these are given only as examples. Other amounts of
through holes, attachment members, and measured positions, for
example, may be used to implement the various methods described
herein.
[0075] In addition, in the optical biometric apparatus 1 described
above, the twelve attachment members 40 are configured identically.
Alternatively, the attachment members can be each provided with
labels having probe numbers or the like so as to be identified
separately from one another.
[0076] In the optical biometric apparatus 1 described above, the
attachment members 40 are inserted to the first through holes B1 to
B12. Alternatively, the attachment member can be inserted to any
one of the second through holes T1 to T8 and R1 to R8.
[0077] In the optical biometric apparatus 1 described above, the
attachment members 40 are inserted to the first through holes B so
as to be detachable in a pressed manner. Alternatively, the
attachment members can be each provided at the outer peripheral
surface of the insert portion with a thread and the first through
holes B can be each provided at the inner peripheral surface with a
thread so that the attachment members are detachable in a screwed
manner.
[0078] In the optical biometric apparatus 1 described above, the
attachment members 40 are inserted to the first through holes B so
as to be detachable in a pressed manner. Alternatively, the
disc-shaped lower surface of each of the attachment members can be
affixed, with an adhesive, to the upper surface of the ring portion
at the peripheral edge of the first through hole B so that the
attachment members are detachable in an affixed manner.
[0079] In the optical biometric apparatus 1 described above, the
attachment members 40 each have the columnar main body 41, the grip
portion 42, and the columnar insert portion 43. The attachment
members have only to be configured so as not to allow incidence of
light through the first through holes B. For example, the
attachment members 40 can each have a shape without the grip
portion 42, a shape without the grip portion 42 and the main body
41, or a cap shape so as to surround the ring portion at the
peripheral edge of the first through hole B, or have a cotton-like
body to be inserted to the first through hole B.
[0080] In the optical biometric apparatus 1 described above, the
single attachment member 40 is attached to one of the first through
holes B. Alternatively, the single attachment member can be
attached to a plurality, e.g. two, of the first through holes
B.
[0081] Other variations may be implemented as well.
[0082] As described above, the disclosed embodiments can be
utilized in an medical apparatus such as an optical biometric
apparatus or the like for measuring brain activities in a
non-invasive manner. Though not described in detail above, the
apparatus may also be used for other medical purposes.
[0083] The controller and other components of the apparatus
described herein may include circuitry, hardware, software,
firmware, or combinations thereof. Furthermore the various actions
described herein may be implemented using this circuitry, hardware,
software, firmware, etc.
[0084] While the disclosure has been described with reference to
example embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments.
Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are
not limiting, but illustrative, and the scope of the invention is
to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the
following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted
or limited by the foregoing description.
* * * * *